The book of Hebrew is really a sermon written in true rabbinic form. We can relate to this epistle so well in 2018 because the audience was tired, worn out, exhausted to the point of questioning their faith. This happened all those many millennia ago and it is just as true for us today. Something to also realize that we have in common with the audience of the epistle – Christ’s bloody sacrifice for was SHOCKING; it was really OUTRAGEOUS. As a matter of fact, it was downright offensive in its brutality. Just as for those listeners and followers of Christ all those years ago, they may have felt that they…

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“Principles give you peace.” ~Emerson The reason Emerson said that principles give you peace is that when you are sure of what you know, it enables you to make decisions, respond to stressors, and organize your life around what you value. Even if things are not going perfectly, you still have peace because you know in whom you have believed and you know who you are. This is no less true for us as Christians! Not only do our christian principles give us peace; but our ability to persevere and have patience is our POWER. Power? That word can seem a little incongruous with the ideas of Patience. Power seems…

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If you look at the story of Joseph in Genesis 39 – picking up where Joseph was finding great success in Potiphar’s house – there’s something striking about Joseph’s success. Even though he had lost everything – his clothes, his family, his resources, his freedom – because God was with him, the gifts and wisdom God had poured into him had remained. The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. Now his master saw that the Lord was with him and how the Lord caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. Genesis 39: 2-3 NASB Even later, after the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife, and…

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In 1 Kings, Chapter 8, King Solomon has gathered the elders of Israel and they’ve brought the ark of the covenant out of Zion to put it in its proper place – the inner sanctuary of the temple. The presence of the Lord so filled the place that the priests couldn’t even stand or minister. Solomon stood to praise the Lord in front of everyone. What’s interesting is that not only did he praise and thank the Lord, he felt confident enough to ask a question: “Will God indeed dwell on the earth?” (1 Kings 8:27) 1000 years later, you find Jesus indeed walking on earth – ministering to people,…

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“Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” 1 Peter 4:19 NASB A lot of us are going through some times of difficulty – whether its financial, health or relationships. We read in the New Testament that there will be those of us who suffer. There isn’t any question of this. In it all, God will be glorified. And not only that – but we can still rejoice during our suffering because we have a faithful God who loves us and who has provided a means of salvation for us. Because of this,…

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A bit in a horse’s mouth can control a horse – even one that weighs that 1000 pounds! A tiny rudder sets the course of a ship – no matter how big! In the same way – our tongues affect the entire course of our lives. “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” James 3:5 NASB “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 NASB Scripture is so clear about this concept; and…

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DAY 159 of your 2018 journey Today (June 11, 2018) is day 159 out of the 365 days in 2018. Its getting close to halfway through the calendar year. If you make New Year’s Resolutions or monthly goals, how are you doing? Often we make goals around outward physical appearance or how much money we want to make. Truthfully we DO need to be good stewards of what we have. Ever heard the saying: “blessed to be a blessing”? So of course you should safeguard your health and your wealth. At the same time – there are other goals worth putting time and effort into. Who have you listened to…

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“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6 NASB In Strong’s concordance, ‘nothing’ is shown to be more accurately translated as ‘not even one’. As in, not even for one, single thing – do not be anxious. We, of course, as believers, need to live wisely and prudently. This verse isn’t saying to be mindless or careless. The verse is saying that we have a Father in Heaven who cares about us. We can bring to Him our needs, our requests, our worries, our praise, our everything. When a little child expects to be picked…